No matter what your course of study, writing will be an important part of your college experience, so understanding what is being asked of you as a writer is a critical ingredient in your success.

Although writing assignments can differ from one discipline to another, from one course to another, and from one part of a course to another, all writing has elements in common, and there are also common writing assignments - types of writing required by courses in many different disciplines.

Certain types of papers will appear in many of your courses. The three most common types of papers are informative reports, interpretive analyses, and arguments.

• Informative reports occur in all disciplines. In an informative report, the writer passes on what he or she has learned about a topic or issue. For example, a professor of music history writes a chapter explaining three distinctive characteristics of Renaissance music for a music appreciation textbook.
• Interpretive analyses explore the meaning of written documents, cultural artifacts, social situations, and natural events. For example, a professional cultural critic explores Freud's anecdotes, showing how they are used both to control and to dramatize the uncanny.
• Arguments are valued in all fields of study. These types of papers prove a point or support an opinion through logic and concrete evidence. For example, a political scientist critiques the idea that the prospects for Russian democracy depend on the economy, not on the quantity and quality of political participation.

Checklist for determining type of assignment
The following questions and suggestions will help you to begin figuring out your assignments:

• What has the professor said in class about the purpose of the assignment? Check your notes and consult with classmates.
• What type of project are you being asked to write? Is it one of the common assignments or is it particular to your discipline?
• What are some key terms in the assignment that might give you a clue about what is being asked of you? Some terms like comment, consider, and discuss do not point to a particular purpose. Classify, illustrate, report, and survey are frequently associated with the task of informing. Analyze, compare, explain, and reflect are often associated with interpreting. Agree, assess, defend, and refute go with the task of arguing.
• How long is the paper supposed to be and when is it due? Many topics must be narrowed in order to be completed on time within the required number of pages. Some instructors may note due dates for progress reports or first drafts. The length of the paper and the amount of time you are given to complete it are good indications of the importance of the assignment.
• What format is required for the assignment? Some assignments, like a laboratory report, must follow a conventional form. In most cases where research is assigned, instructors will prefer a particular style of documentation. Check with your instructor.